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Rick Neuheisel thinks Buffs on right track

By Kyle Ringo

BuffZone.com Writer

Posted:
08/14/2014 07:11:10 PM MDT

Updated:
08/14/2014 07:11:32 PM MDT

Rick Neuheisel returned to CU a year ago as part of his duties with the Pac-12 Network and was bluntly honest in saying he believed it would be hard for the Buffaloes to win many games in the Pac-12 Conference.

Considering CU was coming off a 1-11 season and breaking in a new coaching staff and new schemes, it was hardly a revelation.

Neuheisel was back at CU practice Thursday for the Pac-12 Networks' annual visit and he had a much more optimistic assessment of what he saw as the Buffs prepare for Year Two of the Mike MacIntyre coaching era in Boulder.

"This is a deeper football team than it was a year ago, especially in the secondary," Neuheisel said. "There are some guys who look like Pac-12 cornerbacks out there. ...The only question mark I have defensively is depth in the defensive front. (Josh) Tupou and (Juda) Parker are what you're looking for but there probably aren't enough of those guys. You're probably going to have to play with some youngsters. It doesn't mean they can't be successful. It just means that's hard."

The Buffs are trying to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2007 and must win at least six games to qualify for the postseason. CU went 4-8 in MacIntyre's first season with two of those victories coming against teams from the Football Championship Subdivision and only one win against a Pac-12 foe.

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Neuheisel said he expects starting quarterback Sefo Liufau to improve in his second year as a starter but it will be tough for the Buffs to account for the production lost in the departure of wide receiver Paul Richardson to the NFL.

The Buffs lost eight games by 22 or more points in 2013 and Neuheisel said he expects those types of outcomes to occur less frequently.

"If you can improve, as they did a year ago, a touchdown on both sides of the ball, now your average margin of defeat isn't 29 points, it's 14. And 14 points means if a ball bounces all of a sudden you're in a close game and close games are much different in terms of the flamboyance of your opponent. So that's the key is getting into close games. Get games into the fourth quarter and then things can start to go the Buffs' way.

"I know everybody wants to get to the postseason and the last thing I want to do is water down that dream and vision, but there is a scenario out there where they win four games again and look really good doing it in terms of them closing the margin that has existed between them and the rest of the Pac-12. To me, there is steady progress and now what there also needs to be is steady patience."

Long overdue progress

Portions of the athletics facilities project that is currently underway at CU have been talked about since Neuheisel was an assistant coach and then head coach at CU in the mid-1990s.

Neuheisel said it's great to see CU finally taking steps to upgrade its athletics facilities.

"It's terrific," he said. "The naysayers might says it's too late, but better late than never. The fact that they realized that this can have a huge impact, there are too many examples out there, the Oregons and Oklahoma States of the world. Build it and they will come, the old Field of Dreams adage."

Henington returns

Junior defensive end Tyler Henington was back in practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a badly sprained ankle on the first day of camp two weeks ago. Henington was expected to contend for a starting job at defensive end coming in to camp and if he remains healthy, might still be able to earn the job for the season opener.

MacIntyre said he had to see on film of practice before commenting on how Henington looked in his first day back.

"I was glad to see him back," MacIntyre said.

MacIntyre was asked if injuries that have hit defensive ends in camp have been a nightmare scenario considering the youth and inexperience that already exists at the position.

"No because the other guys have gotten chances to play," MacIntyre said. "It's kind of let us look at a lot of guys."

Pep talk

Former coach Bill McCartney attended practice and addressed the team afterward, delivering a speech with the fire and brimstone passion he is known for around the program.

"Those players might not have been in the halftime of the national championship game, but Bill McCartney was," Neuheisel joked.

Notable

MacIntyre said linebacker Addison Gillam wore a blue jersey Thursday after bruising his AC joint in his shoulder on Wednesday. ...Offensive lineman Sam Kronshage has missed several practices after suffering a concussion. He is expected back soon. ...Defensive lineman De'Jon Wilson missed Thursday's practice for personal reasons and is expected back Friday. ...MacIntyre received an oral commitment from Lausii 'Boogie' Sewell, a defensive lineman from St. George, Utah, on Wedneday. Sewell, 6-0, 295, is not a rated recruit by Rivals.com at this point. He is the ninth commit in CU's 2015 recruiting class.

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